Earring having an adjustable clamping arm



Nov. 8, 1960 D. M. JEFFERlES 5 EARRING HAVING AN ADJUSTABLE CLAMPING ARM Filed Sept. 12, 1958 INVENTOR. Dick M.JEFFER\E$ ATTOQHEYS Unit EARRING HAVING AN ADJUSTABLE CLAMPING The invention relates generally to earrings. More particularly, the invention has reference to an earring provided with ear-clamping means which is of an adjustable nature, so as to permit the earring to be accommodated with maximum comfort to the ear of the particular user.

Conventionally, earrings are so formed as to often produce considerable discomfort. Said discomfort results from the fact that the spacing between the confronting clamping arms or jaws of a conventional earring does not take into account different thicknesses of ears. As a result, it is found by many persons that the spacing between the clamp arms is such as to cause excessive pinching or compression of the ear lobe. This obviously produces extreme discomfort and pain, particularly when the earring is required to be worn for a substantial period of time. To eliminate said discomfort, many women find it necessary to remove the earring after it has been worn only a comparatively short time.

It will be readily perceived that the discomfort referred to above results from the fact that no account is taken, in the manufacture of conventional earrings, of the difference in shape and thickness of the ear lobe of one person as compared to the ear lobe of other individuals. Therefore, an earring which can be comfortably worn by one person cannot be worn, except with considerable pain, by another person.

In view of the difficulties and inconveniences which have been noted above as resulting from conventional practices in the manufacture of earrings, it is proposed in carrying out the present invention to provide an earring which will have an adjustable clamping means, which can be swiftly adjusted to fit the ear lobe of the wearer with maximum comfort, though without loss of ability of the ear lobe to retain the earring in place. To this end, the invention, summarized briefly, comprises an ornamental member which, of course, can be of a wide variety of shapes and sizes; a fixed clamping arm, secured to said member and designed to extend in contact with one surface of the ear lobe; a post projecting laterally outwardly from said fixed clamping member, said post being threaded for at least a substantial part of its length; and a movable clamping arm in confronting relation to the fixed arm, the movable arm being extendible in contact with the opposite surface of the ear lobe and being threaded upon the post. In this way, the movable arm can be swiftly adjusted along the length of the post, toward or away from the fixed arm, whereby to swiftly and accurately adjust the space between the clamping portions of the respective arms. One can, thus, on purchase of a pair of earrings, swiftly make the desired adjustment as to the space between the respective clamp ing arms. Thereafter, the adjustment will be preserved, and the clamping action between the arms is effected by reason of an inherent springability in the movable arm.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an earing of the character stated that will be adaptable to any type or size of lobe.

' es Patent "ice Another object is to so design the adjustable clamping means as to make it unnecessary to make any readjustments, following the initial adjustment to suit the particular wearer.

Still another object is to so design the earring as to permit it to be pulled off the ear gently, when the earring is to be removed, with the arrangement nevertheless being such as to maintain proper tension or clamping action when the earring is worn, in a manner to insure to the maximum extent against accidental slippage off the ear lobe.

Still another object is to so design the adjustable clamping means as to permit the earring to be easily and quickly applied to the ear lobe, responsive merely to a slight spreading of the arms resulting from the spring tension in the movable arm, with the spreading action being produced by the fingers simultaneously with slipping of the earring onto the ear lobe, the spreading and application of the clamping means being, of course, carried out following the initial, main adjustment referred to above.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide, in the movable clamping arm, a looped arrangement at one end thereof which causes said arm to be connected to the post at a plurality of locations along the length of the post, whereby to provide for maximum contact between the post and the movable arm to prevent loss of the above described main adjustment.

Still another object is to so arrange the looped, postengaging portion of the movable clampingarm as to stabilize the clamping arm, in the sense of minimizing the possibility of accidental bending of the movable arm out of its proper position with respect to the threaded post.

Still another object of importance is to provide, in an earring of the character stated, a construction wherein the fixed and movable clamping arms have confronting clamping portions bowed toward one another to exert a general clamping pressure upon the opposite surfaces of the ear lobe, which pressure results from the location of the movablearm in the above described position of initial adjustment, acting in conjunction with an inherent, light spring tension of the movable clamping arm.

Still another object, in another form of the invention, is to form the fixed clamping arm so that it will not only exert a gentle clamping pressure upon the ear lobe in the manner described above, but also, will define a loop-like lower end portion that will be in embracing relation to the ear lobe, so as to exert a further light gripping action thereupon. In this way, it is proposed that the fixed clamping arm will exert a clamping pressure upon opposite faces of the ear lobe, in cooperating relation to the movable clamping arm, with the movable clamping arm being, of course, adjustable in position so that it will not produce discomfort at the locations where discomfort has previously been noted in conventional earrings.

A further object is to provide an. earring which will have all the desirable characteristics noted above, While yet being capable of manufacture at low cost.

Other objects will appear from the following description, the claims appended thereto, and from the annexed drawing, in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of an earring according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view substantially on line 2-2 of Figure 1, the movable arm being shown in full, dash-dotted, and chain-dotted positions to which it may be adjusted; V

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the same cutting plan as Figure 2, an ear being shown fragmentarily and in dotted lines, the earring being illustrated in full and ilottted lines as it appears when being applied to the ear Figure 4 is a detail sectional view on line 44 of Figure 3, on a scale enlarged above that of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view like Figure 1 showing a modified construction; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view substantially on line 66 of Figure 5, an car being shown in dotted lines.

Referring to the drawing in detail, in the form of the invention shown in Figures 1-4, the earring includes a flat, circular backing plate 10, integrally formed with a peripheral retaining flange 12 disposed in gripping engagement with an ornamental stone 14. Plate 10 having flange 12 defines, in cooperation with the stone 14, an ornamental earring member generally designated 16.

At this point, it should be noted that the earring mem ber 16 would, of course, be of any desired shape, that shown being merely illustrative of a typical earring member. The shape and size of the plate 10 would, obviously, vary widely according to the particular shape and size of the earring member of which it is a component part.

In any event, secured to the surface of the earring member 16 is a fixed clamping arm 18. This may be formed from a single piece of thin rod material, and as shown in Figure 1, arm 18 extends vertically along the surface of the plate 10, being formed at its upper end with an outwardly bowed clamping portion 20. Arm 18 is fixedly secured in any suitable manner to the earring member 16. For example, spot solder could be employed as at 22, at various locations along the length of the fixed clamping arm 18.

The lower extremity 24 of the arm 18 projects outwardly a short distance from the earring member, and a horizontally, laterally projecting, threaded post 26 is secured to and extends outwardly from the projecting lower end 24 of the fixed clamping arm.

The threaded post 26, at its distal end, is provided with a head 28, for the purpose of preventing the movable clamping arm from being accidentally threaded completely off the post. As will be noted, at its proximal end, post 28 is fixedly secured by solder 30 or equivalent means to the projecting lower end 24 of the arm 18.

A movable clamping arm 32 is also formed from a single length of rod material, and in accordance with the present invention, the rod material of which the arm 32 is formed has a slightly springable characteristic. Arm 32 has a main portion 33 whichextends obliquely to the length of the fixed clamping arm, said main portion 33 terminating at its upper or distal end in an outwardly bent clamping portion 34. This provides a clamping portion on the movable arm which, in effect, is bowed toward the fixed arm, in confronting relation to the clamping portion 20 of the fixed arm. A restricted space is thus defined at 37 between the confronting, oppositely inwardly bowed clamping portions of the re spective arms. In this space the ear lobe L of the ear E is gripped in the manner shown to particular advantage in Figure 3.

At its lower end, the movable clamping arm 32 is integrally formed with a U-shaped loop or support portion 36, at opposite ends of which are formed transversely aligned, threaded openings 38 (see Figure 4). Openings 38 receive the post 26, so that the movable clamping arm has a threaded connection to the post. Due to the provision of the U-shaped loop portion, not only is reinforcement provided at the lower end of the movable clamping arm 32, but also, there is a maximum area of threaded contact with the post, said threaded contact being extended over a substantial portion of the length of the post. This minimizes the possibility of accidental loosening of the movable clamping arm upon the post, and the movable arm thus is adapted to remain in any position to which it is threadedly adjusted along the length of the post.

By reason of the arrangement illustrated, it will be seen that the movable arm can be rotated about the post 26, so as to adjust the movable arm toward or away from the clamping arm 18. This is shown in Figure 2, in which the movable arm has been shown in full and dotted lines in a plurality of positions to which it might be adjusted. The range of adjustment is illustrated by the reference character A, and it will be observed that there is a wide range of adjustment of the movable arm, such that the space 37 can be swiftly and easily selected in respect to its width, to accommodate with maximum comfort the particular ear lobe L to which the earring is applied.

This adjustment, of course, would be effected immediately after purchase of the earring. Ordinarily, the adjustment would thereafter remain undisturbed, assuming that the earring is to be worn by only one person.

Following this initial adjustment, the earring can be applied to or removed from the ear lobe with maximum ease. This is shown in Figure 3. One merely spreads the clamping arms relative to one another, that is, the clamping arm 32 is shifted outwardly to a slight extent to the dotted line position shown in Figure 3, against the inherent spring tension of said arm 32. This temporarily increases the width of the space 37, to facilitate the application of the earring to the lobe L. Then, the arm 32 is released and will spring back to its full line position of Figure 3. At this time, the spring tension of the arm 32 will exert a light, but nevertheless sufliciently strong pressure against the ear lobe, designed to insure that the earring will remain attached firmly, yet comfortably to the ear, with little danger of accidental slippage off the car.

It will be noted that the spring tension of the arm 32 is such that the arm can be moved through a range designated by the reference letter B in Figure 3. The distal end portion of the arm 32, in effect, travels in a path oblique to the path in which the arm 32 moves when in its process of initial adjustment, shown in Figure 2. In efiect, the distal end portion 34 of the arm 32 has a swinging movement between the full and dotted lines shown in Figure 3, as will be noted by reason of the fact that in both of these positions, the lower, loopprovided end of the arm 32 remains substantially stationary, with only the distal end portion 34 moving.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 5 and 6, the same characteristics as have been described above will be found. However, in this form of the invention there is a slightly different construction, particularly with respect to the fixed clamping arm. The fixed clamping arm has been designated 40, and includes an outwardly bowed clamping portion 42 at its upper end. At its lower end, arm 40 has an upwardly opening, generally U-shaped, loop-like portion 44 adapted to be disposed in embracing relation to the lobe L. Thus, arm 40 exerts a clamping pressure upon the lobe at the outer surface of the lobe, by reason of the clamping portion 42. At the same time, at its lower end, the arm 40 exerts a light clamping pressure against the inner surface of the lobe L, at the location designated 45 in Figure 6. This provides for a particularly effective, yet entirely comfortable gripping of the ear lobe.

This gripping or clamping action, of course, is not discharged wholly by the arm 40. Rather, in the arrangement shown in Figures 5 and 6 there is still provided a threaded post 26, and carried by the post 26 is a movable clamping arm 46 which is in the form of an 8. Thus, the arm 46 at its upper, distal end has an inwardly bowed clamping portion 48 which is in confronting relation to the clamping portion 42. At its lower end, the movable clamping arm 46 has a U-shaped, loop-like portion 50 which corresponds to the loop portion 36, having aligned threaded openings receiving the post 26. Post 26 extends laterally outwardly from and is fixedly secured to the outer extremity of the loop portion 44 provided upon the lower end of the arm 40. v

Due to this arrangement, there is a clamping action exerted by the cooperating portions 42, 48 in the same manner as in the first form of the invention. Further, the initial adjustment as to the space between these portions is effected, again in the same manner as in the first form of the invention. Still further, the movable arm has the spring action which is also present in the arm 3'2. This form of the invention differs from the preceding form mainly in the provision of the loop portion 44 on the lower end of the fixed arm, which may have particularly effective characteristics as regards the embracing and the light gripping of the lower portion of the ear lobe. A particularly effective, yet completely comfortable gripping of the ear lobe results.

In both forms of the invention, the device is adapted to permit manufacture of an earring at a very low cost, while having an inherent characteristic of adjustment not found in earrings of equal cost. Further, the construction is such that the lobe-clamping portions are concealed with as much efficiency as is true of conventional earrings not having the adjustable characteristics found in the present invention. Still further, the device is such as to provide for a cooperating action between a main adjustment and a spring tension found in the adjustable arm of the device.

It is believed apparent that the invention is not necessarily confined to the specific use or uses thereof described above, since it may be utilized for any purpose to which it may be suited. Nor is the invention to be necessarily limited to the specific construction illustrated and described, since such construction is only intended to be illustrative of the principles of operation and the means presently devised to carry out said principles, it being considered that the invention comprehends any minor changes in construction that may be permitted within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An earring comprising an ornamental earring member; a first clamp portion rigid with said member for engagement against a wearers ear lobe; a threaded post having a rigid connection with and projecting laterally outwardly from the earring member below the clamp portion; and an elongated arm projecting upwardly from the post in a generally vertical direction, and comprising a one-piece rod shaped with a lower, U-shaped end portion having threaded, coaxially aligned openings extending through its respective sides and receiving the post in threaded engagement therewith, whereby said lower end portion constitutes a support portion mounted upon the post for bodily adjustment toward and away from said member, an upper end portion constituting a second clamp portion disposed in confronting relation to the first clamp portion so as to cooperate therewith in clampably engaging the ear lobe therebetween, and an intermediate portion of spring material extended between the upper and lower end portions and capable of being stressed to oppose movement of the second clamp portion away from the first clamp portion, in each position to which the second clamp portion is adjusted bodily toward and away from the earring member responsive to said adjustment of the support portion.

2. An earring comprising an ornamental earring member; a first clamp portion rigid with said member for engagement against a wearers ear lobe; a threaded post having a rigid connection with and projecting laterally outwardly from the earring member below the clamp portion; and an elongated arm projecting upwardly from the post in a generally vertical direction and comprising a one-piece rod compoundly curved to an S shape with a lower, U-shaped end portion having threaded, coaxially aligned openings extending through its respective sides and receiving the post in threaded engagement therewith, whereby said lower end portion constitutes a support portion mounted upon the post for bodily adjustment toward and away from said member, an arcuate upper end portion bowed toward the first clamp portion and constituting a second clamp portion confronting the first clamp portion so as to cooperate therewith in clampably engaging the ear lobe therebetween, and an inclined intermediate portion of spring material extended between the upper and lower end portions and capable of being stressed to oppose movement of the second clamp portion away from the first clamp portion, in each position to which the second clamp portion is adjusted bodily toward and away from the earring member responsive to said adjustment of the support portion.

3. An earring comprising an ornamental earring member; a first arm formed as a generally vertically extending, one-piece, elongated rod rigidly secured to said member in longitudinally contacting relation therewith, and formed with an upper end portion arcuately bowed outwardly from the earring member to constitute a first clamp portion engageable against a wearers ear lobe; a threaded post affixed to the lower end portion of said arm and projecting laterally outwardly from the earring member; and an elongated, second arm projecting upwardly from the post in a generally vertical direction and comprising a one-piece rod compoundly curved to an S shape with a lower, U-shaped end portion having threaded, coaxially aligned openings extending through its respective sides, said openings receiving the post in threaded engagement therewith, whereby said lower end portion of the second arm constitutes a support portion mounted upon the post for bodily adjustment toward and away from said member, an upper, arcuate end portion bowed toward the first clamp portion and constituting a second clamp portion confronting the first clamp portion so as to cooperate therewith in clampably engaging the ear lobe therebetween, and an inclined intermediate portion of spring material extended between the upper and lower end portions and capable of being stressed to oppose movement of the second clamp portion away from the first clamp portion, in each position to which the second clamp portion is adjusted bodily toward and away from the earring member responsive to said adjustment of the support portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 775,355 Smith Nov. 22, 1904 870,330 Wilde Nov. 5, 1907 1,106,388 Juergens Aug. 11, 1914 1,262,519 Kline Apr. 9, 1918 2,370,808 Meyer Mar. 6, 1945 2,400,513 Jellinek May 21, 1946 2,579,588 Leach Dec. 25, 1951 

